The Wandering Writer Jiraiya

While Sunagakure underwent reforms, its borderlines were also constantly shifting. However, because Sunagakure had too few ninja, the borders guarded by dispatched ninja still followed the former Land of Wind’s boundaries. As for the remaining territory, that would require much more negotiation and wrangling.

The River Country Daimyo, for instance, was quite greedy for the power in his hands and naturally had no intention of allowing the noble officials under him to betray the River Country. Compared to the benefits promised by the Yasunori Trading Company, the River Country Daimyo enjoyed the thrill of power more.

He was even unwilling to extend his lifespan. What a fool.

However, the daimyos of various countries had very little control over noble families that had endured for generations. They merely upheld the hierarchy of a shared social class; theirs was not a relationship of masters and slaves. When four nobles of the River Country betrayed him and joined Sunagakure, the River Country Daimyo had no way to stop them.

The military strength of Small countries was exceedingly weak. The great nations would never tolerate them developing their own militaries. Even back when Hanzo earned the title of Demi-God, the Five Great Ninja Villages had not paid much attention. But as soon as Hanzo sought to develop Amegakure’s military strength, he immediately suffered a brutal blow from the major ninja villages.

Konoha and Sunagakure had tacitly chosen to wage war within the Rain Country, dragging Hanzo and Amegakure into the conflict and crushing the Rain ninja Hanzo had cultivated for so long in a single battle.

Small countries surrounding great nations were absolutely not permitted to develop their own armed forces. If they encountered a problem they could not resolve, they could seek help from a great nation—just as the River Country Daimyo had done.

Sunagakure also held an internal discussion over whether to accept the four River Country nobles. Taking in more people was not a problem. Sunagakure was currently expanding and planned to construct a massive city capable of housing eight hundred thousand people.

No matter how many people came, Sunagakure was confident it could take them all in.

However, the territories of two of the River Country nobles bordered the Land of Fire. If Sunagakure accepted those two territories, there would no longer be any buffer zone between Sunagakure and Konoha.

Some of Sunagakure’s higher-ups had inherited the cautious temperament maintained since Rasa’s era. They believed Sunagakure currently lacked the strength to provoke Konoha. Rashly connecting their territory directly to Konoha’s might provoke an intense response from the other side, which would be detrimental to Sunagakure’s current momentum of development.

Sunagakure was changing by the day. Its territory was expanding, more greenery was appearing, and every day, outsiders passed inspection and became members of Sunagakure. Though these conservatives had seen their own authority diluted considerably, they were still immensely pleased to see Sunagakure thriving.

This was something none of the Kazekages throughout history had achieved, yet it had been realized in their generation.

Therefore, they did not want to see anything disrupt Sunagakure’s development. Accepting the River Country nobles, however, might give Konoha an opportunity to sabotage them in secret.

Pakura, however, clearly did not have Rasa’s easily persuaded style. She believed that since others had come to seek refuge in Sunagakure, how could they turn them away merely because they might anger Konoha?

Sunagakure could lose, but it could never be afraid!

The Sunagakure ninja won over by the Yasunori House Head and Sasori also supported Pakura’s approach. However, considering Sunagakure’s current circumstances, the Yasunori House Head proposed a compromise.

The territory could temporarily be managed by ordinary non-ninja civilians, while there would be no need to station ninja there. Without Sunagakure ninja wandering around the border, Konoha’s reaction would not be too extreme. Besides, Sunagakure was truly short on manpower right now.

They lacked not only ninja, but people in every field. Pakura and the Yasunori Trading Company had even brought in many capable ordinary people to serve as local administrative officials. Many others would still need training before they could take up their posts.

Amid Sunagakure’s blazing reforms, the authority of ninja was gradually being curtailed. Compared to administrative management, ninja were better suited to military warfare. However, due to the initial shortage of personnel, many positions were still filled by experienced ninja. Once the first batch of administrative officials had been trained, ninja would gradually withdraw from management posts.

Ninja who wished to transfer positions could also have their applications approved. There were quite a few ninja who hated fighting and killing; they simply needed to endure this period first.

Following Hyuga Mirai’s orders, Android 18 continuously placed their own people into various positions throughout Sunagakure during this period. Some came from Rōran, while others had been transferred from the Tea Country. As Hyuga Mirai’s home bases, these two places could easily provide people who were both loyal and skilled at management.

Pakura also attached great importance to the Yasunori House Head, relying on him even more than she did Chiyo. Of course, that was partly because Chiyo had completely retired and no longer involved herself in affairs.

More importantly, Pakura had an exceptionally favorable impression of the Yasunori Trading Company. That goodwill had accumulated during their time carrying out missions together, and the Yasunori House Head had offered many useful suggestions during Sunagakure’s development.

When Pakura made certain decisions, Sunagakure’s original higher-ups would only oppose this or object to that. The Yasunori House Head was different. Not only would he explain in detail the possible consequences of one of Pakura’s decisions, he would also offer suggestions for revisions, letting Pakura know where her policies were unreasonable.

This approach greatly improved Pakura’s impression of him. If the Nano Body Double made by Android 18 had not looked like an old man, Pakura might even have found herself a little drawn to him.

Kazekage’s Office Building

Pakura was handling a mountain of official documents. Although she worked hard at managing Sunagakure’s affairs, whenever she was about to finish dealing with one matter, someone would bring in three new documents for her to handle.

Given Sunagakure’s current development, Pakura would probably have to maintain a 007 work schedule for one or two years before she had any time to rest.

"Lord Kazekage, Elder Yasunori requests an audience outside."

A Sunagakure Anbu suddenly appeared in the Kazekage’s office and reported to Pakura.

"Elder Yasunori? Hurry and let him in." Pakura relaxed upon hearing this, then instructed the Anbu, "In the future, Elder Yasunori does not need to be stopped or announced when he comes here."

"Yes, Lord Kazekage."

After replying, the Anbu quickly brought the Yasunori House Head inside.

When Pakura saw Elder Yasunori enter, she rose and asked, "Elder Yasunori, what is it?"

"There is something I need to report to the Fifth Hokage. But does the Fifth Hokage really have to deal with so many matters? You must take care of your health."

Pakura immediately pulled a long face. If she had known that becoming Kazekage meant dealing with an endless stream of documents, then even if someone beat her to death, she never would have agreed to become Kazekage.

"It can’t be helped. I am the Kazekage, after all. I have to be responsible for the villagers. By the way, Elder Yasunori, is Sakai still busy lately? If he isn’t, I’d like to invite him to be my assistant."

Pakura had considered many people, but she felt the most suitable candidate was Yasunori Sakai. He was capable and familiar with her.

"Sakai? I’m not sure about that. But the Fifth Hokage can simply ask him directly. I believe Sakai won’t refuse."

After speaking, the Yasunori House Head took a box from his robes, opened it, and showed it to Pakura.

"I came here today because of this."

Pakura took the box and looked inside, then frowned slightly as she asked, "This is… wheat?" She was not a ninja who only knew how to fight; she also knew quite a bit about matters concerning people’s livelihoods.

"This is Improved Wheat that the Yasunori Trading Company obtained by chance. When grown with fertilizer, its yield is roughly four to five times that of existing grain crops. If this grain is planted throughout the territory of the Saudi Federal Republic State, no one will ever go hungry again."

"Is… is that true, Elder Yasunori?!"

Pakura asked with some excitement in her voice. Having served as Kazekage for some time, she naturally understood just how dependent Sunagakure was on food. Even after the Yasunori Family joined Sunagakure, the village still had to purchase a large quantity of food Supplies from the Yasunori Trading Company every month.

Pakura had never imagined that Elder Yasunori would hand over something so precious and valuable. This was truly an enormous surprise for Sunagakure.

"Elder Yasunori, I will definitely announce your contribution to the entire village. Everyone in Sunagakure should thank you."

The Yasunori House Head waved a hand and said with a smile, "Fifth Hokage, there is no need to rush. Promoting this will not be so easy. Villages in different regions vary greatly. The Federal Republic State still needs to train more officials familiar with grassroots villages and have them encourage the farmers to do this."

"Besides, we are completely short on manpower right now. It will take at least half a year before we can begin promoting it. For now, we can gather intelligence and conduct some preliminary publicity."

Pakura nodded solemnly upon hearing this. "Elder Yasunori, you’re right. I’ll gather people to discuss this matter and strive to promote these grain seeds as soon as possible."

"By the way, Elder Yasunori, since you’re here, there are some matters I’d like to ask your advice on. This report says—"

"Oh, this matter. Fifth Hokage, you can have them—"

Although the border road between the Land of Wind and the Saudi Federal Republic State was still, outwardly, within the same country, checkpoints had already been set up at the junction. Anyone wishing to enter the Saudi Federal Republic State from the Land of Wind had to register first.

Many people had traveled from the Land of Wind to the Saudi Federal Republic State during this period. The ninjas and record keepers at the checkpoint worked until night every day, yet the next day still brought an endless stream of people.

"Next!"

The checkpoint registrar shook out his slightly sore arm and called out loudly.

Then, a person with long white hair, carrying a luggage frame and wearing a bamboo hat, stepped up before the registrar.

"Name and purpose. Look over here when you speak."

The registrar pointed at the camera lens beside him and spoke to the person.

"Oh, hello, hello. My name is Jiraiya. I came from the capital and am a somewhat well-known travel writer. I wanted to see more scenery so I could create better works, so I have previously been to—"

The registrar immediately said impatiently, "Enough. I didn’t ask for all that. Next!"

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